Farm gate



Nov. 13, 1956 c. H. RENTSCHLER 2,770,060

FARM GATE Filed Aug. 29, 1955 I NVENTOR, CARL HADLEY RENTSCHLER United States Patent FARM GATE Carl Hadley Rentschler, Fulton, Mo.

Application August 29, 1955, Serial No. 531,241

3 Claims. (Cl. 39-87) This invention relates to improvements in a farm gate.

It is an important objective of my invention to provide an improved gate construction, the improvements being chiefly directed to novel features that faciltate assembly and installation by the purchaser, that produce an extremely strong and durable gate, and which enable the gate to be readily adjusted on its hinge mountmgs.

The gate comprises a plurality of horizontal gate bars spaced vertically apart and secured in assembly by tie members of angle or V-shaped section. Pairs of such tie members are disposed on opposite sides of the gate bars and are arranged to have their lateral edges engage the bars to afford a rigid clamping grip.

Another important objective is achieved by the pro vision of hinge elements extending between cooperating pairs of tie members and between the spaced gate bars, the hinge elements including clamping means selectively engaging the tie members to permit vertical adjustment of the farm gate.

Still another important objective is realized by a pair of clamp plates adjustably mounted on each hinge element and arranged to engage opposite sides of cooperating pairs of V-shaped tie members, the clamp plates being adapted to engage the angularly related sides of the tie members and clamp the tie members securely against the horizontally disposed gate bars.

Yet another highly important object is achieved by the provision of adjustable means on each hinge element adapted to change the position of the movable clamp plates on the hinge elements, whereby to change the relative position of the hinge elements and cooperating tie members incident to adjusting the angular position or hang of the farm gate.

Other important objects and advantages are realized by the structural arrangement of the component parts of the gate assembly which permits vertical adjustment of the gate with respect to the hinge elements, and which in addition permits selective adjustment at each hinge element to change the angular position or hang of the gate.

The foregoing and numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will more clearly appear from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, particularly when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of the improved farm gate;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in cross section, as seen along line 2- 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in cross section, as seen along line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged elevational view of a fragmentary portion of the gate at the juncture of the tie members and brace members;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective View of one tie member of a cooperating pair of opposed tie members "ice showing a recessed portion to accommodate a bolt and nut assembly, and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the other tie member of the cooperating pair of tie members showing an aperture and recess for the bolt and nut assembly.

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawing, and first to Fig. 1, the improved farm gate is comprised of a plurality of horizontally disposed gate bars 10 arranged in vertically spaced relation, the gate bars 10 substantially bridging the space provided between gate posts 11. The gate bars 10 are flat wooden boards such as are available at all lumber yards and are preferably from six to ten inches in width. The gate bars 10 are secured in assembly by a plurality of tie members 12 arranged in pairs and disposed respectively in opposed relation on opposite sides of the gate bar assembly. In the preferred construction shown in Fig. l, a pair of tie members 12 is located at each end of the gate bar assembly, and several intermediate pairs of tie members 12 are regularly spaced therebetween, the pairs of tie members 12 being normally located in vertical relation with respect to the gate bars 10.

At the hinge end of the gate assembly shown at the left in Fig. l, the end tie member 12 located at one side of the gate is connected to the next adjacent tie member 12 by a flat, elongate brace bar 13 located contiguous with the side of the uppermost gate bar 10. The brace bar 13 underlies the tie members 12 as is best shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4. A diagonal brace member 14 extends between the lowermost end of the end tie member 12 and the uppermost end of the next adjacent tie member 12, one such brace member 14 being disposed at each side of the gate. For purposes of rigidity, the brace members 14 are provided with an angular cross section along its length. The ends 15 of diagonal brace members 14 are also provided with an angulate cross section as shown in Figs. 2 and 4 so as to overlie the tie members 12.

It will be particularly noted that the tie members 12 are V-shaped in cross section, having angularly related sides 16 (Figs. 2 and 3). Each cooperating pair of tie members 12 are arranged such that lateral edge portions 17 engage the sides of gate bars 10, and that central corner portions 20 are spaced outwardly from the gate bars 10. A plurality of bolts 21 extend through each cooperating pair of tie members 12 and each intervening wgate bar 10. As is shown in Fig. 2, the bolts 21 extend through aligned apertures 22 formed in tie members 12 and gate bars 10. These bolts 21 have a V-shaped head 23 adapted to engage and abut the central corner portion of one tie member 12 of each pair, and seat in the small recesses 19 (Fig. 6). The other tie member 12 of each pair is provided with a recess formation 24 in the central corner portion 20 immediately adjacent aperture 22, as is more clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawing, such recess formation 24 being adapted to receive a nut 25 and washer 28 mounted on the opposite end of bolt 21. Upon tightening of the bolt and nut assembly 21 and 25, each cooperating pair of tie members 12 is clamped securely to gate bars 10.

The hinge assembly includes a pair of right angular hinge elements 26 fastened to one of gate post 11, the hinge elements 26 being secured in vertically spaced relationship to post 11 and arranged such that parts 27 extend vertically upwardly. A cooperating hinge element 30 is mounted on each of the hinge elements 26, the hinge element 30 including an eye portion 31 that embrace vertical hinge part 27. A fastening or cotter pin 32 is passed through the hinge part 27 above the eye portion 31 of hinge element 30, the pin 32 preventing unintentional or accidental disassembly of the hinge. The hinge elements 30 extend transversely between the spaced pair of tie members 12 located at the end of the gate, and extend between a pair of adjacent gate bars 14). For purposes which will later appear, the hinge elements 30 are provided with threads.

A pair of clamp plates 33 is mounted on each of hinge elements 30, the clamp plates being arranged on opposite sides of the cooperating end pair of tie members 12 as is shown in Fig. 3. The plates 33 include inturned flanges 34 adapted to engage the angularly related sides 16 of the tie members 12. A pair of nuts 35 is threadedly carried by each hinge element 30, one such nut 33 being located at one side of each clamp plate 33. When the nuts 35 are adjusted along hinge element 30 in a direction to urge the clamp plate 33 together, the flanges 34 engage the sloped sides 16 of the tie members 12 and clamp the tie members 12 to the hinge element 30, and in addition, act to urge the tie members 12 in a direction against the gate bars 10.

The gate assembly may be adjusted vertically by loosening either one or both of nuts 35 on each hinge element 30 so as to release the tie members 12 from the clamping action of clamp plates 33. With the tie members 12 released, the gate may be moved vertically upwardly or downwardly to an extent limited only by the space between adjacent gate bars 10. When the gate is adjusted to the desired vertical position, the nuts 35 are adjusted to tighten clamp plates 33 against tie members 12 in the manner previously described to fasten securely the gate to the hinge assembly.

If one end of the gate is lower or higher than the other end, the gate may be angularly adjusted by a simple adjustment of either one or both of the hinge connections to the tie members. Assume for instance that the right end of the gate in Fig. 1 is lower than the left end, then either of the hinge assemblies may be adjusted to correct the alignment. If the lower hinge assembly is utilized, the right hand nut 35 (Fig. 3) is loosened and moved to the right, and then the right hand nut 35 is also moved to the right a distance to again clamp the plates 33 against the tie members 12. This adjustability of the clamp plates 33 along the hinge element 30 changes the relative position of the tie members 12 with respect to the hinge element 30, and in the example assumed above will raise the right hand end of the gate (Fig. 1). It is obvious that the upper hinge assembly may also be utilized to correct the angular disposition of the gate, and if so used the adjustable nuts 35 and clamp plates 33 are moved to the left in order to raise the right hand end of the gate in Fig. l.

Mounted on the end of the gate opposite to the hinge assembly in Fig. 1, is a latch mechanism which includes a latching arm 36 located between an end pair of tie members 12 and between the space provided between an adjacent pair of gate bars 10. A pair of retaining straps 37 is secured to the same pair of gate bars on opposite sides of the gate, and cooperate with the tie members 12 to serve as a guide for the latching arm 36. A handle 38 is provided on latching arm 36, and is adapted to abut the retaining strap 37 to prevent total Withdrawal of the arm 36 from the gate. Mounted on the adjacent gate post 11 is a latch receiving member 40 adapted to cooperate with arm 36 to lock the gate.

Although the invention has been described by making detailed reference to a single preferred embodiment, such detail is to be understood in an instructive, rather than in any restrictive sense, many variants being possible within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

I claim as my invention:

1. A gate comprising an assembly of horizontal gate bars arranged in vertically spaced relation, a pair of spaced, opposite tie members disposed on opposite sides near one end of said gate bar assembly, said tie members being V-shaped in cross section having lateral edge 4 portions and central corner portions, said tie members being arranged with the lateral edge portions engaging the gate bars and with the central corner portions spaced outwardly from the gate bars, fastening means extending transversely through said corner portions of said tie members and through the intervening portion of each gate bar, horizontally disposed hinge elements extending between said tie members, adapted for vertical adjustment between pairs of spaced adjacent gate bars, said hinge elements being provided with threads, a pair of clamp plates on each said hinge element, each pair of clamp plates engaging opposite sides of said tie members, adjustable threaded members threadedly received on said hinge elements, said adjustable members being disposed adjacent said pair of clamp plates and being adapted to vary the position of said clamp plates along said hinge elements, whereby to adjust the angular position of said gate.

2. A gate comprising an assembly of horizontal gate bars arranged in vertically spaced relation, a pair of spaced, opposed tie members disposed on opposite sides near one end of said gate bar assembly, said tie members including angularly related sides having lateral edge portions and central corner portions, said tie members being arranged with the lateral edge portions engaging the gate bars and with the central corner portions spaced outwardly from said gate bars, a clamping bolt extending transversely through the corner portions of each tie member and through the intervening portion of each gate bar, horizontally disposed hinge elements extending between said tie members, for vertical adjustment between pairs of spaced adjacent gate bars, said hinge elements being provided with threads, a pair of clamp plates on each said clamp element, each pair of clamp plates having inturned flanges engaging the angularly related sides of said tie members, a pair of nuts threadedly carried on each said hinge element, one such nut being located adjacent each clamp plate, said nuts being adjustable along said hinge element to vary the position of said clamp plates on said hinge element, whereby to change the rela tive position of said hinge elements and said tie members incident to adjusting the angular position of said gate, said nuts being adjustable to urge said flanges against the angularly related sides of said tie members so as to clamp said tie members to said hinge elements and to clamp said tie members against said gate bars.

3. A gate comprising an assembly of horizontal gate bars arranged in vertically spaced relation, 21 pair of spaced, opposed tie members disposed on opposite sides near one end of the gate bar assembly, fastening means extending transversely through said tie members and through the intervening portion of each gate bar, horizontally disposed hinge elements extending between said tie members, for vertical adjustment between pairs of spaced adjacent gate bars, said hinge elements being provided with threads, a pair of clamp plates on each said hinge element, each pair of clamp plates being disposed to embrace opposite sides of said tie members, a pair of adjustable nuts threadedly received on each said hinge element, said nuts engaging said clamp plates and being adjustable along said hinge element to vary the position of said clamp plates on said hinge elements, whereby to change the relative position of said hinge elements and said tie members incident to adjustment of the angular position of said gate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,133,417 Wenzelmann Mar. 30, 1915 1,290,769 Marquis Jan. 7, 1919 1,421,794 McLaughlin July 4, 1922 2,515,754 Wolfe et a1. July 18, 1950 2,650,443 Trumbo Sept. 1, 1953 

